Tag:

False Public Alarm

Man Placed Fake Explosive Device Near Lakewood Synagogue: Police Man Placed Fake Explosive Device Near Lakewood Synagogue: Police
Man Placed Fake Explosive Device Near Lakewood Synagogue: Police An Ocean County man was accused of strapping a fake explosive device to a utility pole near a synagogue, authorities said. Benjamin Gibber, 29, of Lakewood, was charged with third-degree creating a false public alarm. Lakewood police announced his arrest in a news release on Friday, Mar. 15. Officers responded to the pole near the intersection of Fourth and Forest avenues at around 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. The intersection is near the Satmar Shul synagogue. The state police bomb squad also responded to the scene. "After extraction, it was determined that the device was ine…
Former Sussex County College Student Arrested For Threats, Prompting 2-Day Closure: Police Former Sussex County College Student Arrested For Threats, Prompting 2-Day Closure: Police
Former Sussex County College Student Arrested For Threats, Prompting 2-Day Closure: Police A former student at Sussex County Community College allegedly threatened to harm an employee, prompting a two-day evacuation and investigation that eventually led to his arrest for terroristic threats, authorities said. Newton Police responded to the reported threat just before 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, the department said in a release. The college was subsequently evacuated and closed for the rest of the evening, as well as the following day. Karl V. Taguinod, 24, was arrested at his Sparta home following an investigation by the Newton Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’…
Bicyclist, 3 Children Injured After Mount Laurel Crash With Hit-Run Driver With Trenton Warrant Bicyclist, 3 Children Injured After Mount Laurel Crash With Hit-Run Driver With Trenton Warrant
Bicyclist, 3 Children Injured After Mount Laurel Crash With Hit-Run Driver With Trenton Warrant A hit-and-run driver is in custody in Mercer County jail after a series of weekend crashes in Burlington County.  Three children and a woman were hurt Saturday, July 22 when a suspect wanted out of Trenton struck a bicyclist and shortly later had a three-car crash, a Mount Laurel police spokesman said. Christopher Lentz, 38, of Mount Laurel, continued driving after striking a woman on a bike at about 1 p.m. on Hainesport Road, said Patrolman Kyle Gardner, a police department spokesman.  He then crashed into a car with a mother and her three children a short distance away. He stop…
Back-To-Back False Alarms Bring Ridgewood Firefighters, Police: South Hackensack Woman Charged Back-To-Back False Alarms Bring Ridgewood Firefighters, Police: South Hackensack Woman Charged
Back-To-Back False Alarms Bring Ridgewood Firefighters, Police: South Hackensack Woman Charged A South Hackensack woman was caught on video pulling fire alarm boxes for no good reason at two different street corners in Ridgewood, said authorities who arrested her. Firefighters and police rushed to the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and Broad Street early last week but found no fire after the pull box was activated there, Detective Capt. Forest Lyons said. Moments later, they headed a few blocks down to Walnut Street, again with no emergency, after the alarm was pulled there, the captain said. Lucia Alvarez, 47, was arrested nearby and charged with causing a false public alarm, Poli…
Bridgeton Mom Gets Life Without Parole For Death, Dismemberment Of Toddler Bridgeton Mom Gets Life Without Parole For Death, Dismemberment Of Toddler
Bridgeton Mom Gets Life Without Parole For Death, Dismemberment Of Toddler A 28-year-old mom from Cumberland County was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death and dismemberment of her 23-month-old son, authorities said. Nakira M. Griner, of Bridgeton, was sentenced on Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. Griner was previously found guilty on Jan 4 of first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, tampering with evidence, false public alarm and child endangerment. The verdict came after a two-week jury trial. Nakira GrinerInstagram @nikglowed_up The charges were based on events tha…
Woman Whose Alleged Shooting Threat Locked Down Bergen Fire & Oak ID'd As Westchester Resident Woman Whose Alleged Shooting Threat Locked Down Bergen Fire & Oak ID'd As Westchester Resident
Woman Whose Alleged Shooting Threat Locked Down Bergen Fire & Oak ID'd As Westchester Resident A woman who police said forced the temporary lockdown of a busy Bergen County restaurant during dinner this weekend was identified as a Westchester County resident. Diana Dealem-Calderon, 39, left Fire & Oak in Montvale after threatening to shoot someone during an argument, Police Chief Doug McDowell said. Montvale police took her into custody a little over a mile away at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, with help from their law enforcement colleagues there, the chief said. No one was injured and no weapons were involved, but the incident did produce some anxious moments. The call initially…
Woman Arrested After Shooting Threat Locks Down Popular Bergen County Restaurant Woman Arrested After Shooting Threat Locks Down Popular Bergen County Restaurant
Woman Arrested After Shooting Threat Locks Down Popular Bergen County Restaurant UPDATE: A woman who police said forced the temporary lockdown of a busy Bergen County restaurant during dinner this weekend was identified as a Westchester County resident. Diana Dealem-Calderon, 39, left Fire & Oak in Montvale after threatening to shoot someone during an argument, Police Chief Doug McDowell said. Montvale police took her into custody a little over a mile away at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, with help from their law enforcement colleagues there, the chief said. No one was injured and no weapons were involved, but the incident did produce some anxious moments. The call i…
HS 'Active Shooter' Lockdown In South Jersey Results In Arrest Of Philadelphia Woman HS 'Active Shooter' Lockdown In South Jersey Results In Arrest Of Philadelphia Woman
HS 'Active Shooter' Lockdown In South Jersey Results In Arrest Of Philadelphia Woman A 29-year-old woman from Philadelphia has been arrested in connection with a false "active shooter" report last week. On Jan. 23, Cape May County Dispatch received a phone call reporting an active shooter at the Lower Cape May Regional High School. The school was locked down. An immediate multi-agency response was initiated. Active Shooter protocols were swiftly activated by the school, law enforcement officers, as well as additional first responders. Ultimately the report was determined to be false. A thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by the Lower Township Police Department…
Man Carrying Toy Rifle Nabbed For Burglaries In Atlantic City Man Carrying Toy Rifle Nabbed For Burglaries In Atlantic City
Man Carrying Toy Rifle Nabbed For Burglaries In Atlantic City A man carrying a toy rifle was stopped by police and connected to several Atlantic City burglaries, authorities said. On Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9:12 a.m., officers were dispatched to a home on North Indiana Avenue for a 911 report of a male attempting to break into a shed on the caller’s property. Officer James Eckert arrived and made contact with the caller, obtaining a photograph and description of the suspect.  At 10:40 a.m., patrol officers were then dispatched to a call from a concerned citizen who saw a man walking in the 1900 block of Bacharach Boulevard carrying a rifle. Officer L…
Mom Convicted Of Killing, Dismembering Toddler In South Jersey Mom Convicted Of Killing, Dismembering Toddler In South Jersey
Mom Convicted Of Killing, Dismembering Toddler In South Jersey A Cumberland County jury found a mother guilty in the 2019 death and dismemberment of her 23-month-old child, according to the county Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. Nakira M. Griner, 28, of Bridgeton, was charged with murder and several other offenses after she initially reported that Daniel Griner Jr. was abducted while she was walking to the store. The jury found her guilty of all counts on Wednesday, Jan. 4: first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, second-degree child endangerment, fourth-degree tampering with evidence and second-degree false public alarm. …
'Backpack About To Explode' Claim Leads To Man's Arrest In Toms River: Police 'Backpack About To Explode' Claim Leads To Man's Arrest In Toms River: Police
'Backpack About To Explode' Claim Leads To Man's Arrest In Toms River: Police A man was arrested for creating a false public alarm after saying his backpack was about to explode, authorities said. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Toms River police units were dispatched to 1786 Hooper Avenue for a welfare check of a reported adult male in his 50’s in emotional distress. Police said he stated that his "backpack was about to explode."  Out of an abundance of caution, the building was evacuated and employees and patrons were directed to an adjacent property.  The male suspect was detained by responding officers while K9 officers …
Special Police Officer IDs Brooklyn Boy, 15, Who Threatened To Blow Up Lyndhurst High School Special Police Officer IDs Brooklyn Boy, 15, Who Threatened To Blow Up Lyndhurst High School
Special Police Officer IDs Brooklyn Boy, 15, Who Threatened To Blow Up Lyndhurst High School A sharp-eyed Lyndhurst special police officer nabbed a 15-year-old boy from Brooklyn who authorities said made a 911 call threatening to blow up the township high school. A Bergen County communications dispatcher told Lyndhurst police shortly after noon on Oct. 7 that an unknown caller using anonymizing technology claimed there was a bomb inside the high school, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. The school was locked down and all 852 students, along with teachers and staff, were escorted out by Lyndhurst police. The Bergen County sheriff’s bomb and K-9 squads checked inside and out and d…
US Marshals Nab NYC Woman Who Threatened Ex-Colleague, Central Jersey Employer: Prosecutor US Marshals Nab NYC Woman Who Threatened Ex-Colleague, Central Jersey Employer: Prosecutor
US Marshals Nab NYC Woman Who Threatened Ex-Colleague, Central Jersey Employer: Prosecutor A New York City woman was tracked down by US Marshals after she threatened to kill a former colleague and also made threats against the victim's new employer in Central Jersey, authorities said. Quanajah Pinnock, 27, had been calling her former colleague and sending threatening text messages directed at her and her new Branchburg employer, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers began investigating at the victim's place of work on June 21, 12:15 p.m., when the incident was reported, McDonald said. Pinnock was subsequently charged with terroristic threats and false p…
Man Claiming To Have Handgun During Sussex County Fight Charged With Terroristic Threats Man Claiming To Have Handgun During Sussex County Fight Charged With Terroristic Threats
Man Claiming To Have Handgun During Sussex County Fight Charged With Terroristic Threats A man who claimed to have a handgun during a fight in Sussex County was charged with making terroristic threats and other offenses, authorities said. Officers responding to the dispute report at Tomahawk Lake found that Arturo E. Rivera had gotten into a physical altercation with several others and claimed to have a handgun on Saturday, July 9, Byram Township Police said in a release on Thursday, July 21. Rivera, of North Brunswick, then went into the trunk of his vehicle and shouted several times that he was getting a gun, police said. However, no firearm was found during a follow-up sear…
Suspect 'Zoom-Bombed' High School Student's Virtual Memorial Service: Police Suspect 'Zoom-Bombed' High School Student's Virtual Memorial Service: Police
Suspect 'Zoom-Bombed' High School Student's Virtual Memorial Service: Police A suspect has been identified and charged in a Zoom attack on a virtual memorial service for a South Brunswick High School student, authorities said. The memorial service was being held for 17-year-old Emily Murillo who tragically died in January 2021, according to South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. Due to the coronavirus, the memorial service was broadcasted virtually.  During the service, an unknown person entered the Zoom and threatened to blow up the funeral home and make the casket turn to ashes. The suspect is a juvenile from North Jersey. “It was unspeakable …
Former Paramus Student From Passaic Charged In Fake 911 Mall Shooter Call, Bogus School Threat Former Paramus Student From Passaic Charged In Fake 911 Mall Shooter Call, Bogus School Threat
Former Paramus Student From Passaic Charged In Fake 911 Mall Shooter Call, Bogus School Threat A recent graduate of a special needs high school in Paramus phoned in a pair of bogus reports -- one about an alleged threat at the school by a man with a knife and another that made it seem an active shooter was at the Garden State Plaza, authorities said. Alex Barrales, 18, of Passaic made both "swatting" calls on the same day -- May 13, Police Capt. Frank Scott said Monday. Barrales was arrested in Irvington late last week after Paramus Police Detective Joshua Capizzi identified him as the caller in both instances, the captain said. Barrales, who'd attended Windsor Preparatory High Sch…
Bergen County 18-Year-Old Jailed In Bogus Gun Threat Against Local High School Bergen County 18-Year-Old Jailed In Bogus Gun Threat Against Local High School
Bergen County 18-Year-Old Jailed In Bogus Gun Threat Against Local High School A college student from Bergen County was jailed in New York State after authorities said he phoned in a bogus gun threat to a New Jersey high school. Luke Natoli, 18, blocked the number he was calling from when he threatened to “bring a gun to a sport’s practice” on Tuesday afternoon, April 12, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Wednesday. “First responders and school officials took measures to ensure the safety of the campus while members of [Musella’s] Cyber Crimes Unit and the Montvale Police Department initiated an investigation to trace the call,” the prosecutor said. It didn…
Fired Bergen Employee Captured, Charged With Threatening To 'Kill Everyone' At Former Job Fired Bergen Employee Captured, Charged With Threatening To 'Kill Everyone' At Former Job
Fired Bergen Employee Captured, Charged With Threatening To 'Kill Everyone' At Former Job UPDATE: An employee recently let go by a Bergen County ground beef and burger producer threatened to "kill everyone inside of the building" and told police that they'd "better get there" to stop him, authorities said. A SWAT team and colleagues from neighboring towns joined Carlstadt police at the Wonder Meats Inc. headquarters on Broad Street following the threats Tuesday evening, April 12. They later arrested ex-con Mark Brownridge, 46, at Penn Station in Newark with help from New Jersey Transit police after tracking him overnight on his cellphone. Brownridge, most recently of Hackensac…
Fake Email Address Links Suspect With Courthouse Bomb Threat In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Fake Email Address Links Suspect With Courthouse Bomb Threat In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
Fake Email Address Links Suspect With Courthouse Bomb Threat In Central Jersey: Prosecutor A 30-year-old man from Union County has been charged in connection with a bomb threat at a courthouse in Central Jersey, authorities said. Tiago Santana-Silva of Elizabeth has been charged with creating a false public alarm and making terroristic threats, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott, and New Brunswick Police Director Anthony A. Caputo of the New Brunswick On Oct. 25, 2021, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department was made aware of a bomb threat concerning the Superior Courthouses located at 50 Paterson…
Suspicious Device Left Near Ocean County Courthouse, Causing Public Alarm: Prosecutor Suspicious Device Left Near Ocean County Courthouse, Causing Public Alarm: Prosecutor
Suspicious Device Left Near Ocean County Courthouse, Causing Public Alarm: Prosecutor A 36-year-old man from the Jersey Shore has been charged with causing a false public alarm after placing a suspicious device near the Ocean County Courthouse, authorities said. David Giordano, of Toms River, was charged in the incident that occurred on Saturday, Feb. 6, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.  At approximately 9 p.m. that day, Toms River police were dispatched to Hooper Avenue and Washington Street for a report of a suspicious item in the roadway. Police found a car battery with a power inverter attached to it, Billhimer said…
School Shooting Threat Made By 12-Year-Old South Jersey Student: Report School Shooting Threat Made By 12-Year-Old South Jersey Student: Report
School Shooting Threat Made By 12-Year-Old South Jersey Student: Report The latest social media threats against a high school were made by a 12-year-old student in South Jersey, NJ Advance Media reports citing police sources. The student was responsible for only a portion of shooting threats made against Maple Shade High School, which were were posted Wednesday, township police said, according to the outlet.  Police charged the unnamed minor with cyber harassment, making terroristic threats and causing false public alarm, NJ.com said. Click here for the NJ Advance Media story.
Teen Girl Arrested For Threatening Egyptian Student At Jersey City High School Teen Girl Arrested For Threatening Egyptian Student At Jersey City High School
Teen Girl Arrested For Threatening Egyptian Student At Jersey City High School A teen girl was arrested for making a social media threat toward an Egyptian student in Jersey City, bringing an increased police presence to Dickinson High School, according to media reports and city officials. The girl sent a message from an anonymous Instagram account to the student saying she was going to "kill all of you and your Egyptian friends," after altercations between Black and Egyptian students last week, NJ Advance Media reports citing district officials. The investigation is active, however, did not appear to be a bias incident, city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcion…
Hunterdon Prosecutor: Man Charged For Mailing Letters Of False Crimes Against Police Officer Hunterdon Prosecutor: Man Charged For Mailing Letters Of False Crimes Against Police Officer
Hunterdon Prosecutor: Man Charged For Mailing Letters Of False Crimes Against Police Officer A Warren County man who authorities say sent letters to various Hunterdon County residents with false allegations against a local police officer has been charged. Trevor Deppe, 33, allegedly wrote and mail anonymous letters to residents in Lebanon Township, Glen Gardner and Califon between May and June of 2021, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said in a Thursday release. The letters contained false criminal allegations against a Lebanon Township officer that were known by Deppe to be untrue, Robeson said. Deppe, of Washington Township, was charged with third-degree false publi…
'Give Me An Answer': NJ Town Council President Charged With Misuse Of 911 System 'Give Me An Answer': NJ Town Council President Charged With Misuse Of 911 System
'Give Me An Answer': NJ Town Council President Charged With Misuse Of 911 System The Council President for the Town of Phillipsburg has been charged after authorities say he created a false public alarm by contacting 911 for a non-emergency reason. Frank McVey, 56, submitted an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request to the town’s business administrator on August 13, Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer said in a Wednesday release. He then sent an email to several town employees stating, “maybe most of you… work Monday through Friday 7-3 but I don’t with this position. Somebody give me an answer and respect the $.35 an hour that I’m getting for this job.” “If I do…
Brick Man Charged With Making Fake Bomb Threats That Evacuated Jenkinson Boardwalk Brick Man Charged With Making Fake Bomb Threats That Evacuated Jenkinson Boardwalk
Brick Man Charged With Making Fake Bomb Threats That Evacuated Jenkinson Boardwalk A 19-year-old Brick resident was charged with calling in the fake bomb threats that evacuated Jenkinson boardwalk earlier this month. Nkosi Jones called the main boardwalk office on June 3 and 4 reporting bomb threats that were later deemed unfounded, Point Pleasant police said. Jones was charged with two counts of false public alarm and two counts of terroristic threats. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending court hearings. “I’d like to thank all of the surrounding agencies that responded on two separate occasions to assist our officers with evacuating and searching the boa…
Former Employee, 42, Calls In Bogus Bomb Threat At Morris County ShopRite Former Employee, 42, Calls In Bogus Bomb Threat At Morris County ShopRite
Former Employee, 42, Calls In Bogus Bomb Threat At Morris County ShopRite A 42-year-old Morristown man was charged after allegedly calling in a fake bomb threat to his former workplace of ShopRite, authorities said. Officers responded to the Hanover Avenue store May 26 after an employee received a call from a man who said, “there is a bomb in the store” and hung up, Hanover Police Chief Mark D. Roddy said in a release Wednesday. Another worker recognized the phone number and called the man back, recognizing his voice as that of Victor Simpson, a former employee, authorities said. A follow-up investigation led to Simpson’s arrest with a charge for creating a fals…
Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure
Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure A Connecticut man called in a bomb threat to a medical office where a former friend was having a procedure, said authorities who arrested him. New Haven resident Anthony Spencer, age 32, left “several threatening phone messages” at the northbound Route 17 medical office in Paramus, New Jersey, Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg of the Paramus PD said. “During one of these phone calls he stated that there was a bomb in the building,” Ehrenberg said. “Responding police units searched the building and found no suspicious items.” Detective Sgt. Mike Cebulski identified and tracked down Spencer, who was “…
Paramus Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure Paramus Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure
Paramus Medical Building Bomb Threat Blamed On CT Man Whose Ex-Pal Was Getting Procedure A New Haven man called in a bomb threat to a Paramus medical office where a former friend was having a procedure, said authorities who arrested him. Anthony Spencer, 32, left “several threatening phone messages” at the northbound Route 17 medical office, Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said. “During one of these phone calls he stated that there was a bomb in the building,” Ehrenberg said. “Responding police units searched the building and found no suspicious items.” Detective Sgt. Mike Cebulski identified and tracked down Spencer, who was “upset that a former friend of his was having a medi…
'Attack On NYC': Lodi Used Car Salesman Made Bogus Threats, Authorities Charge 'Attack On NYC': Lodi Used Car Salesman Made Bogus Threats, Authorities Charge
'Attack On NYC': Lodi Used Car Salesman Made Bogus Threats, Authorities Charge A used-car salesman from Lodi sent texts to police of an attack that he said was “set to take place” in New York City, said authorities who charged him with causing a false public alarm. Authorities zeroed in on Miguel Baez, 43, after police received a text from a caller using an ID anonymizer, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Working with police from Franklin Lakes, Little Ferry and Lodi, members of Musella’s Cyber Crimes Unit “quickly determined that several such messages were sent but they were all false and there was no such threat,” the prosecutor said. Baez was arrested Mo…
Toms River Man Threatened To Turn Town Hall 'Upside Down,' Prosecutor Says Toms River Man Threatened To Turn Town Hall 'Upside Down,' Prosecutor Says
Toms River Man Threatened To Turn Town Hall 'Upside Down,' Prosecutor Says An Ocean County man who allegedly threatened to turn Toms River Town Hall and the county Justice Complex "upside down" has been arrested, authorities said. The suspect posted YouTube videos that showed a bulldozer leveling public buildings in Colorado to accompany his threats, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. David Giordano, 36, of Toms River, was arrested on Monday and charged with terroristic threats and false public alarm, Billhimer said.  Giordano's charges were elevated to second-degree crimes since they allegedly were committed during a state …
Franklin Lakes PD: Fleeing Suspect Reports Being Chased -- By Police Officer Franklin Lakes PD: Fleeing Suspect Reports Being Chased -- By Police Officer
Franklin Lakes PD: Fleeing Suspect Reports Being Chased -- By Police Officer A former Franklin Lakes resident who ran from a female police officer who was trying to stop him dialed 911 to report a woman chasing him with a gun, authorities said. Bradford Vance, 25, of the Kips Bay section of Manhattan walked out into the middle of Franklin Avenue and gave the middle finger to the drivers of two vehicles who had to brake to avoid hitting him, Capt. Robert Lyon said. Seeing this, uniformed Officer Stephanie Hallihan tried to stop Vance, who took off on foot into the Colonial Pointe apartment complex on Colonial Road, he said. Vance eventually was arrested and charged …